tips for effective writing

Tips for Effective Writing

Colleen H. Fava, Studio CoordinatorCollege of Basic Sciences

Communication across the Curriculum (CxC)

BASC CxC Communication StudioLast Updated – June 2009

Defining the Rhetorical Situation

BASC CxC Communication StudioLast Updated – June 2009

Purpose

Audience Persona

Purpose

What is the purpose of your essay?

Genre: Research, Explanatory, PositionSubject: Chosen or Assigned TopicExpectations: Learning objectives and skills

BASC CxC Communication StudioLast Updated – June 2009

AudienceWho is your target audience?

True Readers: Who will actually read and evaluate your essay?Imagined Readers: Who should be able to read and learn from your essay?Expectations: What will both real and imagined readers expect to gain from this essay?

BASC CxC Communication StudioLast Updated – June 2009

PersonaWhat is your authorial expertise?

Are you a novice or an expert?

Are you expected to pose questions or offer solutions?

Are you expected to teach the readers something or prove that you have shared knowledge?

BASC CxC Communication StudioLast Updated – June 2009

Pre-WritingFormat & Requirements:Source materials (primary/ secondary)

Required Sections

Page length

Citation Style

BASC CxC Communication StudioLast Updated – June 2009

ResearchIdentifying and gathering source material

Using the LSU library

Verifying validity of sources

Maintaining a Works Cited Page

BASC CxC Communication StudioLast Updated – June 2009

Note Taking

Annotating important information with sources

Compiling graphics with sources

Marking supporting and contradictory information

Matching source material to requirements

BASC CxC Communication StudioLast Updated – June 2009

Drafts: From 1st to 2ndMajor Reviewers: You, Peers

Map back to the writing prompt, outlines, notes, and your assumptions

Identify and list any gaps, missing information, or contradictions

Ask a peer, preferably someone with a bit less of an understanding of your subject to read and mark up your essay

BASC CxC Communication StudioLast Updated – June 2009

Drafts: 2nd to Final

Major Reviewers: You, Peers, Tutors Tools: Outside readers, Your voice, Grammar

Garage, Grammar & Style guide books. Read your essay aloud.Form a peer review group.Consult a technical resource.

BASC CxC Communication StudioLast Updated – June 2009

Common PitfallsLack of transitionsUnsourced materialsVague languageClaims without warrants and evidenceInconsistent / Unprofessional VoiceThe murder mystery approachRedundancies and lack of cohesionLack of a true intro and conclusions section

BASC CxC Communication StudioLast Updated – June 2009

Helpful ResourcesWriting & Style GuidesCitation websiteLSU online databasesWriting CenterGrammar GarageTutorsPeer groupsBASC CxC Studio

BASC CxC Communication StudioLast Updated – June 2009

BASC CxC Studio

BASC CxC Communication StudioLast Updated – June 2009

Colleen H. Fava, Studio Coordinator, colleenf@lsu.eduDan Mangiavellano, Assistant, dmangi1@tigers.lsu.edu

155 Howe-Russell Geo-Science Complex, LSU, Baton Rouge, LA